Paneer Karahi
Golden paneer and crisp peppers tossed in a fresh tomato, ginger and green chilli gravy.
Made with Karahi masala base. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time25 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £1.71 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Heat half the oil in a wide pan or wok over a medium high heat. Fry the paneer for 4 to 5 minutes, turning, until golden on most sides. Lift out onto a plate.
4 min 30 s - 2
Add the rest of the oil to the pan, then the onion and both peppers. Stir fry for 4 minutes, until they begin to char at the edges but still have bite.
4 min - 3
Pour in your ready made karahi masala base (see the base recipe) and bring to a simmer. Cook for 5 minutes until hot and thick.
5 min - 4
Return the paneer, stir gently to coat and cook for 2 minutes.
2 min - 5
Take off the heat and add the lemon juice, ginger and coriander.
- 6
Serve at once with naan, chapatis or basmati rice.
Tips
- Fry the paneer until it has colour. Pale paneer is rubbery in the sauce.
- Keep the peppers crisp. They carry on softening in the hot gravy.
- Soak the fried paneer in warm water for 5 minutes for a softer texture, then drain well before adding.
Storing and freezing
Keeps 2 days in the fridge, cooled within 1 to 2 hours. Reheat gently until steaming hot all the way through. Paneer turns firmer after freezing, so it is best eaten fresh.
Questions
Can I make this dairy free?
Not with paneer. For a dairy free version use firm tofu pressed for 20 minutes and fried the same way, and keep the base made with oil, not ghee.
Is paneer vegetarian?
Yes, it is made by curdling milk with an acid like lemon juice. Check the label, as some brands use a rennet, which is not vegetarian.
Can I add other vegetables?
Yes. Mushrooms, courgette or sweetcorn all work. Add them with the peppers so they get a little colour.
More made with karahi masala base
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.